Book Review: Madam Secretary, A Memoir - Madeleine Albright

 

It took me awhile to read this memoir from Madam Secretary, but it's so appropriate to have completed reading this memoir as we are in an election year. How funny is it that some of her challenges back in in the 1990s is here again. Repackaged in a way that is seemed like something new but realize it's something that could have been resolved back then takes center stage in an attempt to win an election. 

I remember very well how those very issues were pressing, but our American government lacked the political will to make things whole on behalf of the American people and global citizens. Seems like it becomes a generational attempt of presenting something that's old but reworked to be something acutely important today. 

Madam Secretary, clearly documents and shares her trials and tribulations of being a first female Secretary of State. Personally, I found it refreshing as I knew she as up to the tasked. As a public service for so many years, it seemed fitting that she would be tapped to take on the role of being America's diplomat to the world. 

Sadly, she encounters so many obstacles, as a women, dealing with the "big boys" mentality while juggling an amazing feat of mother, parent, teacher,, friend, so many other adjectives in which she must balance in being our representative politically to the world, global stage. 

I felt for her. But was encouraged by her tenacity, will, and energy to have her best "pump" shoes forward. Armed regularly with her many broaches she wears for different occasions so as to treat it as a method of persuasion in dealing with the challenges of the day. She is remarkable. She is no other, I like her, wish I met her. Years ago, I thought about choosing Political Science as my major, but opt out when I learned about the growing scandals of the Clinton administration. Soon after lost interest in choosing that major. Thought of something more less stressful and confrontational, I choose, Art History. Understand history without dealing with confrontation like what Madeleine Albright encountered along with other dedicated political public servants of the day. 

The book reminded me that what happens on center stage is that many behind the scenes efforts to put America in a good light doesn't always pan out for the better. But America keeps trying. I salute Madam Secretary for that, thank you!